New Orleans has rattled off eight wins in a row, covering a -1.4 average line by 8.8 points per game. The franchise last won nine straight in the 2007-08 season, arguably the city’s best team ever with a run to the Western Conference semifinals.

The offense is red-hot during the streak, averaging 126.8 points on 48.7 percent from the field. Three contests ventured into overtime, dipping the figure to 120.9 points in regulation. Nonetheless, superstar center Anthony Davis is crushing, earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors Sunday. The five-time All-Star’s stat line during the eight-game stretch is gaudy: 37.2 points, 14.8 rebounds and a combined 5.7 blocks and steals per game. Everyone can agree, "The Brow" is currently at his best.

Since DeMarcus Cousins went down for the season with an Achilles injury, Davis is single-handedly carrying the team. Bettors will want to forecast his point production handicapping tonight’s matchup. With “Boogie” out of the lineup, the Pelicans are 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS when Davis lights the scoreboard up for more than 25 points. Posting this number or fewer, New Orleans is 1-4 SU and ATS. For what it’s worth, Davis has scored 26 points or more just three times in 14 meetings against the Clippers.

Clippers (34-28 SU, 35-26 ATS)

Bye-bye Blake; Points in the Paint Explosion

The Clippers are 9-4 SU and 8-5 ATS since trading the oft-injured Blake Griffin to the Pistons for small forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley, center Boban Marjanovic and a 2018 first-round pick. Bradley, suffering from a sports hernia, has played in just six games for L.A. (and might be done for the year), while Marjanovic has touched the court for a total of 19 minutes. Harris, however, has slotted in nicely. The six-year vet is averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 34.7 minutes per game for his new team.

Since the Pistons transaction, the Clips are shooting 49.8 percent from the floor. Points per game are up to 115.5 from 107.6 before the trade. Much of the added production is coming down low. Center DeAndre Jordan, one of the best screeners in the NBA, is the key. The pick-and-roll is operating flawlessly under the new setup. If one of Jordan’s four teammates can’t find an open look, he’s breaking to the hoop for a lob-pass dunk. L.A. ranks third in the NBA with 50.5 points in the paint per game. Since the trade, the figure is up to 56.2 per outing.

Overview

Griffin or no Griffin, the Clippers have dominated poor paint defending teams all season with their pick-and-roll attack. Against opponents allowing greater than 42.5 points a night in the area for the season, L.A. is 23-11 SU and 25-9 ATS. It is covering a 0.9 average line by 5.4 points per game. The Pelicans give up 47.4 per contest, fourth most in the league. Clips roll 123-110, shut down Davis, and cover the 3-point spread.